The Evil of Smoking

Smoking was discovered by the Spanish conquistadors in America,
about 500 years ago; from Spain, it spread to the rest of Europe,
and thence to the Muslim world about 100 years later.

Unfortunately, while the West has long realized the dangers of
smoking and attempted to reduce it, in the Muslim lands, it has
spread with little or no interference.

Early Muslim scholars, confronted with this obnoxious habit,
declared it to be makrooh (detested), comparing it with such things
as garlic and onions. This was due to the fact that, at that time,
noone was aware of the harmful effects produced by smoking, which
include, cancer, heart disease, strokes, miscarriages and premature
birth in women and several other diseases.

Since it has become clear that smoking is harmful, it is obligatory
upon all Muslims to abstain from it, for Allaah has said: { And do
not kill yourselves, Allaah is indeed Merciful to you } (Soorah
4:29), and the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Let
there be no harming and no reciprocating harm." (Narrated by
Ahmad).

Unfortunately, some Muslims, either deliberately, or through
ignorance, have been guilty of misleading Muslims, by repeating the
earlier judgements of scholars, that smoking is only disliked, and
therefore, not forbidden.

The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam also said:
"The feet of man will not depart, on the Day of Judgement, from his
standing before his Lord, until he is asked about five things: His
lifetime and how he spent it; his youth and how he used it; his
wealth - where he earned it and how he spent it; and how he
followed what he knew." (Narrated by At-Tirmizi)

He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam also said: "Whoever imbibes
poison, killing himself with it, will be consuming his poison in
the Hell-fire and will dwell therein eternally." (Narrated by
Al-Bukhaari)

Smoking is also harmful to the human mind and reason. One only has
to observe a smoker who has been deprived of his cigarettes for a
while: He is rude, nervous, quick to anger and incapable of
concentration. He cannot relax until he has had his "fix". He is
affected by insomnia, indigestion, episodes of acute anxiety and so
on.

Allaah's Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Anyone who
believes in Allaah and the Last Day should not hurt his neighbour."
(Narrated by Al-Bukhaari)

He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam also said: "Verily, the example of
a good companion and a bad one is like that of a perfume seller and
a blacksmith: As for the perfume seller, he would either give you
(some perfume), or you would buy (some) from him, or at least, you
would get a good smell from him. And as for the blower of the
bellows, you would either get a foul odour from him, or he would
burn your clothes." (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

Smoking is also a waste of one's wealth on things which offer only
harm and no benefit, for Allaah, Most High says: { And do not waste
[your wealth] extravagantly. Indeed the squanderers are brethren to
the devils are brethren to the devils } (Soorah 17:26-27)

and the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
"Allaah hates for you three things: Gossipping, begging and wasting
money." (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim).

Smoking involves consuming an evil substance. It has a noxious
smell, a horrible taste and is harmful to the body. Allaah says: {
He [the Prophet e] who will enjoin upon them the doing of what is
right, forbid them from wrongdoing, make lawful to them the good
things of life, forbid for them the evil things and lift from them
their burdens and the shackles that were [formerly] upon them }
(Soorah 7:157)

A smoker is not only a faasid (corrupt person), but also a mufsid
(one who spreads corruption): Because of his bad example, his
family members, friends and colleagues may also smoke. It is
useless to say: "Do as I say, and not as I do." The problem is
exacerbated when the smoker affects an air of religious piety or
knowledge, because many people will take him as a role model. This
multiplies his sins and increases his burden.

Genuinely pious people avoid smoking and smokers, thus the smoker
is excluded from the company of the righteous.

Smokers find fasting during the month of Ramadhaan more difficult
thatn non-smokers, because they are suffering a form of drug
addiction. They rarely fast voluntary fasts since even the
obligatory fast is a trial for them.

The prohibition of smoking applies equally to the user, the seller,
the manufacturer, the advertiser and all those involved in its
production, sale or consumption, for Allaah says: { Coop-erate with
one another in righteousness and piety, and do not cooperate with
one another in sinning and transgression. And fear Allaah; verily,
Allaah is severe in punishment } (Soorah 5:2)

and the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
"Indeed, when Allaah prohibits something, he prohibits eating its
price." (Narrated by Ahmad)

So dear brothers and sisters, if you are addicted to this foul
habit, you must make your intention firmly to Allaah to stop and
seek aid with Him Who hears and sees all, and always answers the
supplication of the sincere Believer. He, Most High says: { And
when My slaves ask you about Me, [oh, Muhammad, say that] verily, I
am near [in hearing, seeing and know-ledge]: I answer the
supplication of the one who asks when he asks Me } (Soorah 2:186)
Source: www.islaam.com